The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-06-25
AUNT DEBBY'S SHOP,

">hes an old darling" said Grace
Craaall. ''and mean 10 help her all
can. I've got n beautiful recipe for
chocolate cellars, and on Friday even
ing | am going there to make up all
that ] can, SO that the school children
/ will buy them on saturday. l know
how 10 make cinnamon apple tarts,
too, and lemon drops and cocoanut
balls"
Grace, I do believe you have taken
leave of your senses" said Medora
May Zone would think 1t was dis
grace enough for Aunt Deborah--our
own mothers sister--to open a horrid
little huckster shop, without our mix
ing ourselves up in the affair."
But Aunt Debby must live, you
know" said Grace, who was perched,
kitten fashion, on the window sill,
feeding the canary with bits OF spark
ling white sugar "And Cousin Nixon
couldn't keep her any longer, and her
eyes are not strong enough for fine
ncedlework, and her education has not
fitted her 20 be teacher. and her poor
old rheumatic bones keep her from
going behind a counter or entering a
factory. i suppose you wouldn't be
willing TO have her come and live with
YOUR
"I!' cried Medora. ADO you sup
pose want 10 proclaim to the whole
town that | have such a dilapidated
old relative as thatg"
III would take her quick enough"
said Grace. 'if l didn't board with
Mrs. Hewitt, and share the little up
stairs back room with the two chill
dren Just waic till ] marry some
rich man." she added, with saucy
uplifting OF her auburn brows, land
then see If don't furnish up n stately
apartment for Aunt Debby!'
don't talk nonsense said Medora.
acidly, "lt's very likely, isn't il, that
factory girl like you is going TO
marry rich MANI"
Grace Craxall laughed merrily. All
through life she and her cousin, Me-
dora May, had agreed to differ on most
points. Grace, seeing no other career
before her, had, on the death of her
last surviving parent, cheerfully en-
tered a factory, while Medora, taking
her stand on the platform of false
gentility. had done fine sewing and
silk embroidery on the sly 10 support
herself, putting on all the airs of a
young lady of fashion the while. And
now Aunt Deborah May, to the infinite
disgust OF her aristocratically inclined
niece. had actually opened little low
Widowed shop In a shady street just
ont Of the main thoroughfare, and, ms
Medora despairingly expressed il,
"ponc into trader
For Aunt Debby, in her bewildered
loneliness. had scarcely known what TO
do till Grace Craxall came TO the
rescue with her hopeful courage and
straightforward common sense.
I'm SO helpless" sighed the poor
old lady that | feel sometimes il
would be- better II ! were dead"
Now, Aunt Debby, that doesn't
sound Dit like you," said Grace,
cheerfully.
"But what am / to dor said Aunt
Deborah.
"What can you dol" said Grace.
al don't know rs am good for any
thing" said the old lady, with quiet
tear or two, except to help around the
house, and | amt strong enough for
regular hired help. Your uncle always
used 90 say was a master hand at
making bread"
"Then make it," brightly interrupted
Grace.
"Ehg" said Aunt Debby.
"There's nice little store TO let on
Bay street." went on Grace, "for $40 a
month"
sBut haven't got $40 month,
feebly interrupted Aunt Debby.
all lend IL to you" said Grace, ''oul
OF the wages / have saved. And
there's pretty bedroom at the back OF
the shop and clean, dry basement
under II, where you can bake your
bread. know. for the sister OF the
lady where board Is looking for dress
making rooms and heard her speak
INC about It"